Question:
SALAAMS,
MUFTI SAAB CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY FOR US IF WE CAN USE THE INTEREST MONEY FOR SECURING A MASJID COMPOUND WITH BRICK WALL FENCE THE MASJID IS IN A VILLAGE AND VERY OPEN ENVIRONMENT THEREFORE THINGS ARE BEING STOLEN LIKE WINDOW GLASSES AND OTHERS
FOR HIFAAZAT PURPOSE
PLEASE CAME BACK TO ME URGENTLY JAZAKALLAH
Answer:
The interest that one receives should be returned to that person who has given the interest to you. If it is impossible to return the interest to the respective owners then it should be given to the poor with the intention of giving out on behalf of the original owner. There are differences of opinion with regards to using interest money for public welfare therefore in the time of dire need one can use the interest money in order to build the toilets or boundary walls (which do not fall under the Hukum (law) of a Masjid). (Fataawaa Rahimiyyah, Vol. 9, Page 281-282)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
02 February 2005
22 Thul Hijjah 1425